A new national ranking has revealed the UK’s best gardens to visit this spring with one iconic London spot taking the top position and England dominating the list overall.
The research, carried out by European photo printing company CEWE, analysed gardens across the UK using Google data, including star ratings, number of reviews, and how often visitors mentioned spring. Analysts also tracked buzzwords like “best”, “must-see”, and “exceptional” to get a sense of overall sentiment.
Kew Gardens named Best UK Garden
Taking the top spot is Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in Richmond, which earned a 4.7-star rating from more than 52,000 reviews including 1,835 mentions of spring.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site spans 320 acres and dates back to the 18th century, with highlights including its Victorian glasshouses, Bamboo Garden, and the peaceful Garden of Peace.
Chatsworth House in Derbyshire came in second, also with a 4.7-star rating, based on over 24,000 reviews and nearly 700 spring mentions.
The estate features 105 acres of landscaped gardens, including the dramatic Emperor Fountain and Willow Tree Fountain, and has appeared in productions such as Peaky Blinders and Pride & Prejudice.
Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden ranked third, with a 4.7-star rating from more than 24,000 reviews and 656 spring mentions.
The 17th-century site covers 70 acres and includes the Rock Garden and Woodland Garden, along with panoramic views across the city and more than 13,500 plant species from around the world.
The rest of the best UK gardens for spring revealed
Bodnant Garden in North Wales and RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey tied for fourth place, each recording 622 spring-related reviews.
Bodnant spans 80 acres and holds a 4.8-star rating, with visitors drawn to its mountain views, wildflower meadows, and historic features.
RHS Wisley, meanwhile, covers 240 acres and is home to more than 25,000 plant species, with themed areas including the Exotic Garden and Wildlife Garden.
Stourhead in Wiltshire rounded out the top five, with 459 spring mentions. The 18th-century estate is known for its sweeping landscape, classical temples, grotto, and the iconic Palladian Bridge.
England is home to some of the best gardens ranking in the top 20
England accounted for the highest number of gardens in the top 20, followed by Scotland. Other spots to make the list include The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, and Powis Castle and Garden in Wales.
Chris Wood, managing director of CEWE UK, said the longer days and warmer weather make spring the perfect time to get outdoors, adding that the featured gardens provide an ideal backdrop for capturing the UK at its most colourful.
